The Nets have emerged as a possible trade destination for Rockets superstar James Harden, though it remains unclear if Houston is ultimately willing to part ways with the former Most Valuable Player, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne and Zach Lowe.
The idea of joining Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn has started to resonate with Harden, the trio adds. The Athletic recently reported that Harden remains committed to the Rockets despite a Russell Westbrook trade request.
Harden has also discussed the possibility with Durant (teammates from 2009-12) and has increasingly grown uneasy about Houston’s competitive future, leading him to consider other options, ESPN reports.
Brooklyn has a bevy of assets that could be included in a deal, including Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and the No. 19 pick in Wednesday’s draft. Despite Harden’s apparent interest in the team, the Nets and Rockets have yet to engage in trade discussions, according to Wojnarowski, who adds that Houston has continuously stated its interest in retaining Harden for another season.
The Rockets have privately made it clear that if they did eventually entertain the idea of moving Harden, they’d need a “monstrous return of players, draft picks, and pick swaps,” per ESPN. While the Nets are believed to be weighing the viability of pursuing Harden, it’s not clear how willing they’d be to meet that asking price.
Harden is coming off a season that saw him average 34.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 68 games. He shot 44% from the floor and 36% from deep during those contests, further cementing his status as one of the league’s top offensive players.
Make it happen.Harden is all Brooklyn
“all Brooklyn”? What about his exactly is “all Brooklyn”?
Ut oh Al… you’ve got some explaining to do.
He’s all L.A., which is where he’s from.
As reported out of Houston today,,Harden is the one that wants the trade and he wants to go to Brooklyn.
if he goes to brooklyn him and kyrie might have problems sharing the ball
if he forces his way out the nets might be able to get this done
This team will be all offense zero defense. It’s already been shown harden can’t play with other ball dominant guards so his fit with kyrie isn’t very good.
I disagree. Harden’s a better basketball player than many give him credit for. I think he’ll play any role that’s asked of him. I think he’ll be great wherever he goes. Plus I did see Harden play defense that one game this year for a couple of minutes when he blocked that jump shot from three-point land.
That’s great but the largely body of work goes against what you just said. I stand by my statement, not a good teammate and won’t be second fiddle, see time with westbrook and cp3.
Harden most certainly is a garbage defender. Outstanding at other things though, but he’s an incomplete player, unlike Curry, who actually is a good defender but gets trashed for not being an elite one, smh.
Harden is a good defender when engaged and so is Durant. This would be a lethal team if they could get Kyrie on board with not trying to dominate. All 3 are legitimately great shooters it would be near impossible to guard them all. Not to mention Harden and Durant are arguably also the two greatest isolation shooters and good passers.
“Harden is a good defender when engaged”
A good defender is an engaged defender. Someone who picks rare occasions to be engaged and play good defense is, overall, a bad defender.
James Harden is, unquestionably, one of the worst defenders in the league. He’s horrible at defense.
Eh let’s face it Curry is softer than chocolate pudding. Harden’s holistic game is a cut above. Who played more games last season? I’ll wait…
Curry also got lucky. Warriors have two of the best shooters of all time, but they’ve gotten extremely lucky during the postseason via opposing stars being hurt or getting hurt while most of their stars are good enough to play. Also, contrary to what Strike Four thinks, it was Draymond Green and not an injury that cost the Warriors in 2016.
Most people credit Curry and Clay for their shooting, but in reality the best part of their game is that they’re soft enough to go under doors like Alex Mack
It’s so funny how obsessed Warriors and Rockets fans are with each other.
I’m not obsessed with Strike Four at all.
it really is im a warriors fan and sometimes i dislike other warriors fans
bro curry is a good off ball defender
No he’s not. He’s a garbage defender.
Wonder what the protections are on the picks and pick swaps to OKC with the Westbrook trade. Seems like they can’t afford a full rebuild
The NBA still uses a single ball during games right ?
Nice one!
Someone check on Harden-Westbrook-MVPs
Soon to be Harden-Durant MVPs
Soon to be Deleted-Account-MVPs
I am sure he will pick another, since all he is doing on here is trolling you guys.
Well, obviously.
He’s not a troll, he’s a homer. He has been around a long time, and it’s pretty obvious yes not smart enough to troll, and you aren’t using the term correctly anyways.
Oh thanks for letting me know, I guess I have no idea what “trolling” means. Even though I do it alllll the time.
Well that would be a media circus if nothing else
That’s exactly it.
I like it for both teams, a potential starting lineup of Kyrie/Harden/Harris/KD/DJ is sexy af not gonna lie lol. And if I’m Houston I think a reset, of both the roster and luxury tax for broke ass Fertitta, makes sense. But they don’t have to actually get bad because a starting lineup that includes Dinwiddie/Levert/RoCo/Allen is a solid foundation to build on. Just need a 3&D wing to round out that starting lineup
Probably the 3 most mercurial stars in the League – I’d take the field
I think that’s definitely true they are three different thinking dudes, seemingly polarizing too. But whom have they have had issues working with? Dwight Howard? LeBron? Westbrook? They all made it work for awhile to varying degrees. Kyrie and Boston was strange…granted.
But… the simple fact remains if you have a chance to get James Harden, you get James Harden.
I just don’t see how the math could work?
Hahahahahahahahaha this offseason just gets funnier and funnier
It’s pretty amazing. Really hope the Nets make this happen. Further proving that Houston is in the tank. Hahahaha
Nothing better than watching Houston sports fans be sad. For defending the Trashstros, they deserve all this and more.
I just thought of another thing that’s funny about this: two days ago Rockets fans on here were talking about how close they were to being a contender and genuinely posting about what players they need to build around Harden, now the new front office people are all but admitting they’re going to rebuild. Life comes at you fast.
Who says we will be sad? Most of us that live in reality know we had our chance and won’t be winning a championship with the way this team is currently constructed. I won’t be upset if they trade both Westbrook and Harden. I’m sure they can get a good return for those two. Sooner or later we knew this time was coming. Harden isn’t getting any younger and there’s no guarantee he would choose to resign here after his contract is up anyways. Our best chance to win a championship was holding a lead in game 7 against the Warriors. I know that, most of our fans know that. It doesn’t mean I won’t support the team no matter what route they go. There’s a new regime coming in and who knows what will happen.
Ignore him, Castiel. Houston sports fans live inside his head rent free. He used to be all over Astros articles on traderumors. He then ran from there to here, Rockets articles on hoopsrumors, when the Astros beat his A’s in the playoffs.
They gonna play with only 3 players on the salary cap?
Dinwiddie, Levert, Allen, their 1st round pick and maybe 1/2 more future first rounders is an excellent package for Harden, IMO. I question the fit with Kyrie in the backcourt though.
That is a good starting point, add in a few more first rounders.
That’s plenty enough as is for a one dimensional player making $40m+ and with a $46m option when he’s 34.
Anthony Davis, who is more valuable than Harden, went for 3 players and 3 firsts. I think OP’s package is pretty close. You’re not getting more than 3 picks.
They’re all great shooters so it could work……..but I don’t see any of them taking a Klay/Bosh/Love like backseat so prob equal chance it blows up
Dinwiddie, Allen, Levert, 2020 1st, 2022 1-14 protected, 2023 Top 5 protected, 2025 1st round swap for Harden and Daniel House.
Kyrie/KD/Harden/Jordan/Harris/Prince and roster fillers would put this team (on paper) as the team to beat in the East.
Actually you’re only as good as the last one on the bench, so they’d be fun at times, but a complete team would annihilate them anytime the big 3 would be off the court.
Definitely a strong squad, but I wouldn’t count out Miami, Boston, Toronto, or Milwaukee. As of right now, all four have better chemistry and continuity than the Nets.
We still don’t know which version of KD they’ll get. DJ is not that good anymore. And Kyrie is Kyrie (perfectly capable of ruining any team’s chemistry). They could be great or they could be the second take of that sad Pierce-Garnett and company Nets. For the moment I wouldn’t put them above Milwaukee or Boston (at least).
Exactly
KD is coming off an ACL in his 30s
Kyrie is locker room napalm and already has bad knees
+ no depth. Would be interesting tho…
If they make Harden available (so far they apparently haven’t), there will be lots of teams lining up. Harden would be attractive not just to contenders, but wannabe contenders. Nets have some good trade pieces, but so do lots of other teams.
From Houston’s standpoint, I think it makes sense, even without a rebuild, because they won’t get much for Westbrook. Keeping Westbrook, with vets Gordon, Covington, Tucker, plus the assets that a Harden trade can bring, might keep them where they are, and ease the tax situation.
I think the Rockets would do better by getting a haul for Harden and keep Russ. Although I thought they were better before they traded Paul. Lakers really did leave that franchise in ruins. Couldn’t happen to a better team
harden needs to stay put and let Westbrook go…theirs no way he can play with kyrie……it’s not enuff balls on the court….that’s too much dribbling for one team
Next headline: Durant wants out of Brooklyn so he can touch the ball.
Underrated comment. Props
Harden = one young all star + 2 average players
Rockets won’t recover in 10 years
Must be why he’s won all those championships and appeared in all those Finals and … oh wait.
Kd kyrie and harden deserve each other :)
Harden is one of the best players in the game, but at the same time he’s not a player worth giving up a lot of assets for unless you’re a team that doesn’t already have a star. Harden will make you a playoff contender by himself, but he won’t make a playoff contender into a championship contender.
He’d be a terrible fit for the Nets. Not only would they have three players who constantly need the ball in their hands, but they’d have to trade just about anything good that they have to get him so they’d have no depth either. I’m sure they could get a few veterans on minimum contracts to round out the roster, but there’s also usually a reason that those players are available for close to the minimum in the first place.
This is gonna be one of those where it looks better on paper than in reality. Where is the defense coming from? Kyrie, KD, and Harden is fun and elite offensively, but the fit is a headscratcher. All three dudes love the ball in their hands and their game on the defensive end is suspect.
I think Jrue, Gobert, Gallo are better trade target fits for Brooklyn.
Durant’s a great defender. But I agree.
Ehh, he was a good team defender on a squad that had a defensive emphasis and defensive players around him. In Nash/MDA’s system and him coming off a long injury layoff and his age, I have my doubts.
That place is going to be a circus if he goes to the nets they will need to bring in Dr. Phil just to get through a season
IDK if I’m houston the only way i’m participating in this trade if it involves both WB and Harden in a 3 team deal getting picks and players back and then moving more current assets for more picks and bad contracts. If you trade Harden you have to open up as many doors as possible. I suppose you could gut the roster and leave WB to rot on it, but is he going to help the young players you want to get grow? Either way if they go that path it’ll be 5 years before they see results.
They should include Kyrie in the package and trade for both Westbrook and Harden. Reunite the old Thunder crew while exiling Kyrie to a rebuilding Houston. One can dream.
I’m not sure if KD and RW are dreaming of such reunion.
Harden and Kyrie not in this lifetime. The big three who are not known for their D. More like the 1way three. I gotta say I always thought Fertitta was cheap. But I can see his vision. He doesn’t believe in his stars so why pay them. I’m all for that. Worst thing you can do. Is max out a guy who is not your kind of player. If he can get that from Nets, I do it. Harden and Kyrie has to be the worst mix ever. This is what happens when players start to think they can be Bron too. Bron knows team players. KD n Kyrie know stats.
Talk about BLOWING it up !!!!
First the coach, then the GM, then Westbrook, now Harden. OMG CLUTCH is next lols. NOOooooooo
You hit the nail on the head. Theae players want to okay with their buddies, LeBron knows what types of players to bring in. He is in the perfect situation with Jeannie and Rob. They are true partners and in the end the Laker franchise wins. People bash LeBron yet he could be the least selfish superstar basketball player ever. Players love playing with him. Put that together with his basketball IQ, both on and off the court and it’s lethal.
So OKC had Russ and PG13 then ended up with like 10 first round picks, SGA and Gallo.
Meanwhile the Rockets have next to no picks for the next 5 years, Russ wants out and now so does Harden. Good luck trying to get a decent return.
I’d forget about adding average/good players which is what the Nets are offering. The Rockets need to go young and get a young guy on the rise. Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, John Collins, Micheal Porter Jr these are the guys they should be trying to get.
How about
Rockets: Ben Simmons, Al Horford, 2 firsts
Sixers: Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Teuren Prince and a first round pick
Nets: James Harden and Mike Scott
Then
Russell Westbrook and a first round pick for Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier
End up with something like this plus an extra first round pick.
1. Simmons. Rivers
2. Fournier. Gordon
3. Covington. House
4. Gordon. Tucker
5. Horford
“The Rockets need to go young and get a young guy on the rise. Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, John Collins, Micheal Porter Jr these are the guys they should be trying to get.” – Exactly. Not everyone like that gonna be available, but they should be able to get a Zack Lavine or a D’Angelo Russell. After all, teams like the Bulls aren’t going anywhere.
Obviously not all these guys are available but Harden is one of the league best players and you should be able to get a decent return.
Sixers have had talks about breaking up the process, Id think the Pelicans aren’t 100% locked in with Ingram, Kings seem unsure how much to pay Fox in his next deal, same with Collins and the hawks, then lastly Porter Jr might be available with the Nuggets trying to get better
MPJ is the star/superstar that makes DEN better, so why would you trade him?
At this stage right now he isn’t. In maybe 3 seasons if he’s fit and not injured he might be. Denver have said MPJ is off the table when it comes to looking at trades but for the right player I bet he’s a goner.
Trust me I really rate MPJ and have for years but if the Rockets go trading away Harden and Russ they need to go for people like him for the second wave of the franchise
KD is not going to comeback strong and Kyrie is not a good teammate
The NBA has the best athletes in the world. However, the product sucks because of trades like this that makes super teams. Want to know why ratings are down? It’s because of trades like this. Something has to be done before it’s too late.
I’d prefer super duos spread through the league instead of super teams.
That’s what the league has tried to do already with the super max contract at 40 or 50 million and the salary cap only 130 million. What else can they do?
The best GM’s or the best circumstances or the best teammates, will draw the best talent. That and locations like LA or even Miami, New York. But even then a crappy scenario will Nix that, pun intended.
Playing with Irving? That assumes that Irving is actually healthy and that’s a big assumption
most likely wont be healthy hasnt played more then 78 games ever in his career
It sounds like the hand of Dinwiddie if the Nets are “starting to resonate” for Harden. That would make it less likely Dins departs in a trade for him.
What a battle for style that would be between Harden & Irving! Not likely to happen though.
Sorry but what on earth can Brooklyn offer for a top 5 player in the league?
Well what you are hinting at is absolutely correct. But part of the thing is Houston’s benefit would be starting a rebuild sooner rather than later. The Rockets also would get out from underneath that big money contract. And most importantly, now you can actually get something for him whereas in two years you’d probably have to attach assets in order to trade him if he opts in for that big money as he gets older.
This will be disastrous. Unless Harden is willing to be third option and play defense like he did when he was in okc. If nets trade for him they should try to get Covington and or pj tucker in the deal . Poor Nash will have a hard time managing egos
bro he def wont be 3rd option he will be 2nd maybe even 1st because we dont know if kd is the same scoring machine like the old days
Durant and Irving are already a doomed, comical pair of bad personalities. Adding Harden would be hysterical.
If the trade happens, the nba should require a reality show to go along with it
Nets = next dynasty with harden. Nash will figure it out. Fun to watch. Fakers will be nervous. Houston needs to rebuild.
facts houston just need to hit the rebuild button westbrook gone and maybe even harden 2 mvps just gone. but they clears money up for them to sign a big fa
According to westbrook and other Thunder players the move that both harden and westbrook want is called, “cupcake.”